DrugFreeAzKids News

Setting up Teens for Summer Job Success

The summer is here and with it, many teens will land their first summertime job. This is a monumental time in a teen’s life, which should make their parents proud. Summer jobs and part-time employment can provide teens with a sense of challenge and responsibility. It’s important for teens to have these challenges and responsibilities through productive outlets, such as a summer job or volunteering.

School’s Out! Oh no…SCHOOL’S OUT!

It’s the time of the year that teenagers look forward to most...summer vacation. It’s hard to beat no school, no homework and less supervision, so it’s no wonder this is a favorite time of the year for many kids. But, as their time significantly frees up and most parents still go to work every day, how can moms and dads make sure their kids are staying safe? The transition from supervision at school to no supervision during the summertime can be a challenge.

Check out these helpful tips for a safe summer:

Smokeless Tobacco Update

Smokeless tobacco does not make the headlines very often these days, but the health risks remain high for users.  While many people believe it is less dangerous than using cigarettes, the risk of cancer and other diseases is still present. 

Mental Health Month

This May is Mental Health Awareness Month. For more than 65 years, the US has observed this awareness day to spread the message that mental health concerns should be addressed early and effectively. Created by Mental Health America, this year’s Mental Health Awareness Month theme is Life with a Mental Illness. It is set to explain the importance of speaking up about mental health and sharing what life is like with a mental illness feels like.

Talk With Your Kids – Elementary School

The preteen years are critical in making sure that a parent’s message resonates with children. As they begin to find their way in the world and value their friends’ opinions while questioning their parents’ views, those messages may be challenged. However, it’s crucial to keep the communication going because those messages will be heard and stay with a child much more than they will ever admit.

Having these conversations with kids in elementary school might seem challenging, but here are sample conversations to make it a little bit easier.

Alcohol’s Many Health Impacts

Although alcohol is the most commonly used substance among youth year-round, graduation season celebrations offer additional occasions for underage drinking.  According to the 2015 Monitoring the Future survey, 64% of 12^th grade students have consumed alcohol in their lifetime, and 35% have consumed it within the past 30 days.  Many youth engage in binge drinking, which equates to about 4 or more drinks for women or 5 or more drinks for men, within a single occasion.

When Rewards Back-fire

What does a first-grader’s reward chart have to do with smoking a joint down the road? It’s not as much of a stretch as you might think. A strong sense of character can prepare and protect our children against the many risks facing them as they grow up, including drug and alcohol use. 

Guiding Through Graduation

Even though your teen is graduating and will soon enter adulthood with more independence, you still have a great deal of influence on the choices they make. Teens may face many temptations on graduation night, when the availability of alcohol and drugs may be even greater.

While graduation is a well-deserved celebration, it’s still important for parents to continue to explain that drinking alcohol or taking drugs is no way to celebrate.

Beyond Mother's Day

The bond between a mother and a child is special and unlike any other. From day one, mothers help guide, comfort and teach their children. That guidance continues as the child experiences new situations. Let's look beyond Mother’s Day, and take the time to celebrate mothers and the positive influence they can have on their kids year round. No matter the child’s age, moms are able to prepare for many of life's challenges using Active Parenting skills.

Surge in Marijuana Related ER Visits

Parents, be mindful if your child plans on visiting Colorado.  New research shows that the number of marijuana related emergency room visits by tourists in Colorado increased over 100% from 2012 to 2014.